Barton: Rooney is not World Class

[IrishRanger]

Well said Joseph.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26867861

[Jogo]

If Rooney weren't English he'd be considered average.

[Kit]

Again more truth from JB don't always agree with him but he has it spot on about Hughes and now Rooney, not in Bale, Ronaldo's, Messi's league and never will be.

[Hertford Hoop]

Rooney is average at best and a long way from the youngster who terrorised the opposition several years ago.

[Robsondinho]

Agree with him Rooney or any other English player are no where near the worlds best, but since when has Joey Barton been some kind of football oracle? giving interviews like this like he anything other then a good championship player? Been great for us this season but the guy needs to pipe down. The other week on twitter trying to degrade players like Neymar, Pastore, etc These guys have more talent in their little toes then joey has. Just concentrate on getting QPR promoted Joey and leave the players a million miles better then you alone.

[Nick]

Spot on once again joey!! when he plays for utd he's all right and when he plays for England he's no more than average.

Will always live of his euro 04 reputation before he got injured.

[Factamondo]

rooney is certainly 'premier league class'.....but 'world class'.....deary me im affraid england dont have anyone any where near being world class!

[DeepcutHoop]

Agree with him Rooney or any other English player are no where near the worlds best, but since when has Joey Barton been some kind of football oracle? giving interviews like this like he anything other then a good championship player? Been great for us this season but the guy needs to pipe down. The other week on twitter trying to degrade players like Neymar, Pastore, etc These guys have more talent in their little toes then joey has. Just concentrate on getting QPR promoted Joey and leave the players a million miles better then you alone.

This. Wait until your career's finished and the pundit away to your heart's content.

Joey Barton lecturing Rooney on wasting his talent? Really?

[acricketer]

rooney is certainly 'premier league class'.....but 'world class'.....deary me im affraid england dont have anyone any where near being world class!

I think Hart is world class, as is Gerrard. I think a few of the up and coming youngsters like Stirling and Barkley could be.

[casuallyqpr]

rooney is no where near WC

he hasnt scored at old trafford since october!!!!

he has one of the worst pass completion percentages for any attacking player, he cant play in the number 10 role, he nullifys other players all the time.

best thing for England would be to leave him at home this world cup.

[D3nisBail3ySliP]

Big time charlies, most of the england team.

[Nick]

What really defines word class?....

1 way I suppose is who would make it into your dream team 11.... I can only think of one Englishman, and that's Gerrard.

[SuperHoopNik]

He'd be world class if he stopped being a child and moved to centre midfield. Plays like Scholes when he is there...imo.

[stationcafe]

Rooney doesn't have the awareness or mentality to be a top CM or no. 10.

Utd would be better off playing Kagawa or Mata behind Persie/Rooney/Welbeck. He doesn't link up play or create chances, which is the role that comes with that position. He is more comfortable passing it out wide and tends to run around like a headless chicken

Similarly England would be better off playing Sturridge/Welbeck as no. 9 with Lalana as no. 10 and Sterling, Walcott etc. on the wings

Rooneys was best when he played on the wing in a front 3 of him/Ronaldo/Tevez. He's got talent but has CLEARLY got complacent and is on the decline. And they're paying him 300k a week!

[IrishRanger]

Just listening to Joey speak about England in general its safe to say there is no chance of them lifting the cup in Rio! Although i do se a spark of hope for the future, the likes of Barkley, Shaw, Lallana will be crucial at the Euros in a few years and me might just have a slither of hope haha